Small

Recent trends in contemporary art have meant that we've grown accustomed to large scale pieces, be that huge canvases, enormous sculptures, or giant installations.

However, the miniature has always been an important part of contemporary art. Be it paintings, sculpture, or photography as well as small format drawings, the reduced dimensions of the artwork puts new constraints on the artist, forcing them to develop their techniques and artistic finesse.

Jeff Wall, an American photographer known for his large scale photographic prints on huge illuminated boxes, has said that “the scale of a piece is not about the dimensions of it, but about the internal tensions within the composition".

Believe it or not, miniature pieces have many advantages. Smaller formats allow the artists to show off a different range of talents and techniques, and sometimes even create the impression of a much higher quality piece – such as engravings or prints. Creating a miniature is a sure sign of precision and skill.

They are also more practical to exhibit than the enormous artworks: we've all got a little space on a shelf ready to welcome a miniature sculpture, photo or drawing.

Another very practical aspect of miniatures is the myriad possibilities for display: you could put together a full shelf of statuettes, or even a dedicated framing wall – which is an increasingly popular method for display, and makes for the perfect decorative addition to a living room or bedroom. It's a mixed composition made up of an array of pieces – you guessed it – all on the same wall. The diminutive size of the miniatures also makes it easier to make sure your favourite pieces are displayed in pride of place.

Even artists who are known for their monumental works are slowly getting into miniatures, like Jeff Wall in his exhibition at the Cartier Foundation.

The miniature is making a big name for itself as a growing trend across the contemporary art world; from Gaspard Mitz, who creates tiny versions of the interiors of famous art galleries in his 'Box Stories', to the photography of Samsofy, who recreates scenes from daily life with miniscule Lego 'actors'.

Last but not least, the small scale of the pieces means that even big names come with small price tags, meaning that miniatures make excellent presents. So, go on, what are you waiting for? Browse our selection of miniature works now…

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Small

Juvenis Series

Juvenis Series

De la série "A travers…22"

De la série "A travers…24"

La Santiaguera

El Revolucionario

Magic Game, no. VI/VIII

Son Sourire

Danse

The Illustrated book

Flexo un temps pour lire

No Valid Name #4

Révolutionnaire

De la série "A travers…23"

Life from heart

Sean Connery

Au creux de ton épaule, on sème

Le Message

Composition I

Medusa - Size M

Journey of Life

Portrait de Constantin Tacou

Picnic In the Shade

The Pill

Hamlet (Hamlet)

La Breloque

Costumer Design

Constellations

Mémoire de JingDeZhen

Autoportrait

El viajero & Compradito (Bronze)

Dreaming Muse #2

Untitled 166

Untitled 163

Untitled 160

Untitled 192

Untitled 169

Untitled 4

Divine Elegance, no.I/VIII (large size)

El Barbudo

El Principe

Bats

Visions of the Unseen

Renaissance bleue

Currency #238

White Spirit IV

Zirkulationszeit: Kopf H.B.

Interrogation EA3/4

Rose

Trois

Là-haut, au delà des étoiles

Bleu

Etrangère Brune

Nelson Mandela

Buste de Long John Silver

Aquarelle graphique 1

Aquarelle graphique 5

Aquarelle graphique 6

El viajero & Compradito (Silver)

Close to nothing (Blue)

Close to nothing (Yellow)

In the Mirror

Playful Companionship

Figure

Soirée parisienne

Couleurs madras